Backstage Academy has announced the continuing support of long-term partner, d&b audiotechnik. This was confirmed by d&b Director Stephen Hogg and Miles Marsden, Backstage Academy’s Industry Partnerships Director, who instigated the original agreement.
The loudspeaker and audio solutions manufacturer is one of a number of high-profile technology suppliers, across all disciplines, with whom the Academy is partnered. This provides ongoing access, not only to the latest technology but also to guest lecturers, masterclasses and collaborative projects for the degree programmes.
Marsden said he is delighted the German company is embarking on its third year with the Academy. “d&b has a long-term commitment to training; the company took the opportunity of being an early adopter here and is now one of a number of companies reaping a return on investment.”
Headline partners enable the Backstage team to work with current technology and equipment, in return gaining access to the Academy’s facilities, both for their commercial needs and as a part of the institution’s educational syllabus. These facilities range from immersive opportunities in Production Park, studio space and hot-desking. “Everyone gets something out of it, with the reward of seeing students progressing through the ranks,” stated Marsden.
In response, Stephen Hogg said: “d&b has developed a very strong educational programme. The resulting knowledge transfer skillset has attracted the attention of many educational establishments, including Backstage Academy, with whom we have been working for several years. We have already helped to establish live sound reinforcement as a vital part of their curriculum, enabling students to develop a keen awareness both of audio techniques in general and of our systems.
“Having use of the facilities is a huge benefit, but the other interesting aspect of Backstage Academy is its link to Production Park [the onsite live events production community]. It is what they are pulling together in terms of technological development, and their vision in the technical and creative future of production, that is attracting us.”